The biological role of charge distribution in linear antimicrobial peptides.

Introduction: Antimicrobial peptides (AMP) have received particular attention due to their capacity to kill bacteria. Although much is known about them, peptides are currently being further researched. A large number of AMPs have been discovered, but only a few have been approved for topical use, due to their promiscuity and other challenges, which need to be overcome.

Areas Covered: AMPs are diverse in structure. Consequently, they have varied action mechanisms when targeting microorganisms or eukaryotic cells. Herein, the authors focus on linear peptides, particularly those that are alpha-helical structured, and examine how their charge distribution and hydrophobic amino acids could modulate their biological activity.

Expert Opinion: The world currently needs urgent solutions to the infective problems caused by resistant pathogens. In order to start the race for antimicrobial development from the charge distribution viewpoint, bioinformatic tools will be necessary. Currently, there is no software available that allows to discriminate charge distribution in AMPs and predicts the biological effects of this event. Furthermore, there is no software available that predicts the side-chain length of residues and its role in biological functions. More specialized software is necessary.